One in three 100-million-won asset holders is MZ…"Result of active investing"

On the 3rd, according to Hana Financial Research Institute, the proportion of the MZ generation (born in the 1980s–2000s) among the 'Mass Affluent' holding financial assets of 100 million won or more rose from 19.8% in 2022 to 33.6% last year. This means one in three of all 100-million-won asset holders is from the MZ generation.

The institute analyzed in its "2026 Korea Financial Consumer Trends" report that the MZ generation's asset management is shifting from savings-centered to investment-centered. The share of savings assets fell from 45.4% in 2023 to 42.7% this year, while the share of investment assets rose from 27.7%→31.1%→32.2%.

By generation, Generation Z (born after 1991) saw the share of investment and virtual assets reach 26.3% this year, up 1.4 percentage points. The average deposit was 9.59 million won. The Millennial generation (born 1981–1990) had an investment share of 34.8%, up 4.1 percentage points, and an average deposit of 29.91 million won. By contrast, Generation X (born 1971–1980) rose slightly to 33.1%, while Baby Boomers recorded 28%, down 3.9 percentage points.

Financial confidence among the MZ generation is also strengthening. The response "I keep up with economic and financial news" increased from 33.4% to 35.2%. In particular, the MZ generation rose by 4 percentage points, while Baby Boomers decreased by 3.3 percentage points. The response "I have the capability to make rational financial decisions" also rose for the MZ generation by 6.3 percentage points year on year.

Regarding intentions to purchase financial products within the next year, savings products fell from 43.8% to 41.3%, while investment products rose from 38.1% to 40.9%. The institute said, "A view that the stock market is more favorable than real estate is spreading," adding, "Six out of ten stock investors are trading foreign stocks, and their portfolio share continues to expand."